Surname MacRann - Meaning and Origin
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MacRann: What does the surname MacRann mean?
The last name MacRann is a Scottish and Irish surname, most likely derived from the Gaelic first name MacRathainn, which means 'son of Rathann.' This name originates from the Gaelic word 'rath,' which means 'wheel.'
The surname MacRann is most common in the Argyll and Bute region of Scotland, particularly on the Hebridean islands. It can also be found in Ireland, where it may derive from the surnames Mac Rathann, MacRandon or MacRannan.
The MacRann surname may also have originated as an occupational name, since 'rath' was used to refer to a medieval wheelwright. In the Argyll region, they were employed to build chariots, carts and wagons. This is most likely related to the ‘MacRann’ spelling of the surname, which refers to a 'person who worked on wheels'.
MacRann is not a common surname, having spread mostly to the nearby regions of Scotland and Ireland. Even so, those of this name can be proud of its rich heritage, which stretches back centuries and connects them to a fascinating culture and history.
Order DNA origin analysisMacRann: Where does the name MacRann come from?
The last name MacRann is not common anywhere today. This last name is a very, very rare Scottish name that's likely derived from the old Gaelic name MacRandal. The name may have originated from the island of Islay in Scotland during the 12th century. Today, only a few families still bear the name MacRann.
It appears that some who bear this last name now live in the United States. People with the last name can be found in Utah, California, Massachusetts, Texas, and Florida. It’s still possible though, to find people with the MacRann name living across the pond in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Scotland.
The MacRann surname is found scattered around the world, although not in large concentrations in any one country. It's not often found in genealogical records or on family trees, making it difficult to trace. Those who do carry the surname, however, may be related to one another. It’s an old name that is slowly disappearing, but still remains active today.
Variations of the surname MacRann
The surname MacRann is an ancient Gaelic surname derived from the MacRaonach or Raghannach family septs. It is believed to have originated in the old kingdom of Dalriada, located in Argyll, in the western coast of Scotland.
Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin as MacRann include MacRannoch, MacRaonach, MacReonach, McRannoch, McLeran, MacLeran and MacRaon. As is typical of Gaelic surnames, there are many variants and spellings of MacRann.
The McLeran spelling is a result of the assimilation of Scottish MacRanns into the Irish MacLeran sept. MacRaon is an anglicisation of MacRaonach, as is McRannoch of MacRaghannach.
The Pizza surname is also believed to be a variant of MacRann. It is thought to have either evolved from MacRann, with its spelling becoming simplified over time, or from another sept, MacPhee.
The MacRaonach septs are frequently found in the Argyll, Renfrew, Lanark, Inverness and Dunbarton regions of Scotland. The McLeran septs have lived in Ulster since the seventeenth century.
The MacRann surname is still commonly found in Scotland, particularly among the descendants of the ancient septs. Those living elsewhere may have their surnames spelled differently, such as MacRaon, but they can still trace their roots back to the original MacRanns.
Famous people with the name MacRann
- John MacRann: American Marine Corps Colonel who served as the Deputy Commander of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF)
- James MacRann: Current Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of F5 Networks, Inc.
- Jack MacRann: Former professional ice hockey player
- Alan MacRann: Professional British basketball player
- Janet MacRann: American reality television personality
- Morgan MacRann: First baseman for the University of Michigan Wolverines
- Alex MacRann: Professional American baseball catcher
- Sarah MacRann: American equestrian specializing in show jumping
- Leslie MacRann: Former professional basketball player in the Australian National Basketball League
- Shannon MacRann: American tennis pro and founder of the competitive tennis academy
- Ryan MacRann: British singer-songwriter and music producer
- Robert MacRann: American Major League Baseball pitcher
- Kenneth MacRann: Canadian paracanoeist, competing in both ICF canoe sprint and paracanoe events
- Ann MacRann: British long-distance swimmer
- Fiona MacRann: Irish traditional musician and multi-instrumentalist